City feels strain of 7,000 new residents

Mayor Frank Carbone has spoken to 2GB’s Ben Fordham about the strain on resources in Fairfield City as the Federal Government settled 7,000 refugees here.

Mayor Carbone told Fordham that putting 7,000 people in one place, regardless of whether they are refugees, it is like creating a new suburb.

“If you create a new suburb you need to make sure you put in place the infrastructure and all the other services to make sure (the Council) is able to look after them.

“The biggest issue, is whether 7,000 have come to Fairfield, or whether they’ve gone to Manly or whether they’ve gone to Camden – it doesn’t really matter – but there’s a responsibility and an onus on the (Federal) Government to make sure they’re resettled properly, to make sure that the potential refugees are ‘unlocked’ quicker so they can make a greater contribution and to make sure there are no social issues.”